How Lionel Scaloni re-shaped Argentina into world champions

LEADER: Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni talks to his players before extra time in Sunday's dramatic World Cup final. Pic: PA

Lionel Messi was the first through, cradling the trophy he had barely let go since he set eyes on it.

And why not? It is some sight up close, the kind of thing you could hold for ever, that completes you and, in his case, completes football too. Next came Rodrigo De Paul. Then the rest, still in their kits, singing and thudding and bouncing and barging into each other, the partition walls almost caving in. Lautaro Martínez had got a fluffy mic from somewhere and was singing into it. Champagne or something fizzy was sprayed around.